Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-03-02
AMUSEMENTN.

NINE. BRRNHARDr's RxAPPRARANcx.-So fmpor.
tant theatrical event as the return OF Nine.
could not fail to bring together an audience OF dis.
tinction, fashion and culture, and the assemblage
wmcn gatnered at the National theater last night
was thoroughly representative OF the Ofllcial and
social world OF Washington, the foreign colony
naturally contributing an unusually large cOnttn-
gent A more popular gathering would have given
the noted tragedlenne more demonStrative wei
come than that which she received but though the
hand-clapp1ng on her first entrance was not noisy,
IL was general throughout the house, and its
spontanlety and genutnenesS were above sus-
picion. AS Mime. Bernhardt threw aside the rich
and the light fell full upon her. il was evident to
all that the years which have interviewed since her
former appearance here had dealt most generously
with her. IL was remarked on all hands that her
face seemed fuller and her appearance altogether
more vigorous than on her pryOuS visit and in her
fscts n the or WAS n no trace OF 5ne ell
Mexico she had Just completed, to say nothing OF
her extended tour In South America. It is diff
hardtS wonderful work Ia the role OF Marguerite
Gdutter. The quality OF IL is exquisite its tone
so subdued and refined the touches are laid on so
delfcateiy and with such MeiSsOnier-l1ke nicely,
that one scarcely discovers the steadily intensity
ing effectiveness or it until the finishing stroke IS
given and the porlraiture stands a revelation In
It's beauty, pathOS and power. One cannot fully
appreciate the rare artistic merit OF the persona
ton but by closely watching its development
play. Every movement is q study yet so much an
integral and essential part OF the completed de-
uneaLlOn tnaJ 10 let the attention wander but
moment Is 70 miss something that cannot well be
made up. The sad and faeeful advancement to
wards lMdrgUerite's destiny, and the ever
deepening interest OF the story are con-
veyed with skill and power that show.
perhaps, better than anything else the
completeness and grasp OF Nine. Bernhardt's art.
From act TO act close observation reveals the slow
but unIalterng change not alone In the tone OF the
lines given To Marguerite, but In the manner and
bearing OF the woman and the very atmosphere
she creates about her. In q word, Nine. Bern
harutS 4udrgueTlfe Is an example OF the highest
ana rareSt dramatic arr, creation distinct and
individual from nrSt TO last SO natural utterly
devold OF The theatrical exaggeratiOn in tone and
gesture 10 which we are unhappily accustomed
That there Is danger OF ignoring its exQuiStey fine
lines; and Tull OF ueep feeling and penetrat-
ing, fascinating power that are Irresistible when
the crisis demands their exercise. The curtain
was rung up last night after every act to allow
Nine. Bernnardt to respond to the applause and
after the third and fourth acts she was presented
with beautiful baskets OF flowers. The easy un.
exaggerated naturalneSS which distinguished the
Leading role was Lot lacking In the remainder OF
the persOnagcs. This Subdued tone, indeed nlled
the whole performance with a charm too seldom
met with. Mr.. GARNER " as an admirable armand,
strong and unaffected and "a very rare quality In
trace OF lnawkishneas. Mr. Frazicrs NJ Dual
Mr.. Berth as De Gray Mime. Renard Eru-
dence, Nine. LacrOix as Ndnaae and MI Angelo as
DE pdrUtie also merit mention. This evening
''FedOra" viii be given.
The FIoRBNCES will appear at the National the
alter next week in 1.-The Mighty Dollar" 'sDombey
and Son, "Our Governor" new play called "rhe
Fiirt" and cricket OF Leave" The sale OF seats
begins tomorrow.